In 2008: Obedience by grace

The concept of "New Years Resolutions" is problematic for Christians. It smacks of self-effort, which is antithetical to the idea of "Jesus" (the Hebrew version "Yeshua" meaning "God saves" or "Yahweh is salvation").

We know we messed up in 2007 but we're afraid that any exertion to do better in 2008 will bring us under condemnation. God saves, after all. Yahweh is salvation. Woe to him who tries to save himself by any self-improvement. Last year you made a resolution to stop trusting yourself for your salvation and to start trusting God.

And then you noticed your grave error: "Oops! I made a resolution to trust in Christ. There's that word "I" again, and "resolution."

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So this year you will not even make a resolution to stop trusting yourself and to start trusting Christ. Christ will have to produce the trusting in you. No hurry about it. You'll just hang around and wait till He pleases to do it.

This is all a pretty recipe for making no progress in 2008, and for putting the whole thing out of your mind by January 5th.

Or, you can stop this nonsense right now and strive with all your heart and soul and mind and strength to obey and to please the Lord this coming year --- with the grace that he provides.

Andrée Seu

Andrée is the author of three books: Won't Let You Go Unless You Bless Me, Normal Kingdom Business, and We Shall Have Spring Again.